The dating of the "Red Church" based on its architecture, murals, archaeological and historical data suggests the following periods of its existence:
- Construction of the original building - around the middle or end of the IV century, which was probably destroyed during the reign of Julian the Apostate (years 361-363);
- Rebuilding of the martyr, adding a narthex and an outer narthex in / double narthex, separated by columns / construction of the chapel and later baptistery.
- In the end of the IV up to the end of the V century, according to different authors, the occurrence of parabeni(two opposite premises) appeared next to the altar - related to the rule of Justinian during the second half of the VI century, as well as the end of the V century, to the beginning of the VI century, the church was decorated with rich early Byzantine wall decorations.
- At the end of the VI century and the beginning of the VII century invasions by the Slavs and Avars take place, during this period the church was seriously damaged, as evidenced by traces of fire and destruction.
- Recovery becomes likely in the XI century, a portico at the west entrance was added, the bypass corridors where not used, parts of the wall around the monument where rebuild, a necropolis was added as part of the graves are above the level of the bypass corridors, latter other buildings where build around the church. From that period new murals where added to the walls. In this form the temple has survived up to the beginning of the XIII century.
When analyzing the Red Church, researchers make analogies to other buildings with similar composition plans - Stoa of Adrian in Athens, the ancient mausoleums in the church "St. Sofia "in Edirne, the Martirio in Rusafa. At the same time a comparison to the construction, references to two other churches in Bulgaria ? Basilica ?Elena? next to Pirdop and basilica "St. Sofia? in Sofia.
